Wedding Planning

Monday 22 July 2013

Wedding Etiquette: Cash Bar Wedding Parties


Open bar wedding party has been gaining popularity these days because more and more couples have been celebrating an evening wedding. With open bar, guests are free to order any brand of drink to their liking without limit as to how many shots or glasses they should order.

However, some couples with limited budget see cash bar as the best option for them.  As opposed to open bar, guests must pay for every drink that they order in a cash bar wedding party. The newly weds won't be held liable for a guest's non-payment of a drink ordered. Guests should leave a bill for a drink the way a customer does when he ordered a drink in a local bar.

If you, a groom or bride-to-be, are concerned with wedding etiquette, wedding etiquette specialists will tell you not to go for a cash bar. If you would be graded for a wedding etiquette examination, saying yes to a cash bar has a grade of zero

For specialists on wedding etiquette, cash bar is not an option even for couples who are tight on a budget.  Since cash bar violates wedding etiquette, wedding etiquette specialists say that you should expect snide remarks from your guests if you pursue a cash bar wedding party. You might even hear them saying things like, the newly wed do not know wedding etiquette, or if they couldn't afford an open bar, they shouldn't have hosted a cocktail party at all and they should have stayed with a sit down dinner.

Guests who would make such a remark obviously are unaware of wedding etiquette too. But just the same, we cannot silence them for making such remarks.

Some wedding etiquette books even say that if you are thinking of a cash bar night party, make a pass for a night party; it's better not to have a night party at all if it would be a cash bar.

Solution to Cash Bar

There is a solution though to cash bar. According to books on wedding etiquette, you can implement the semi-open bar. With this strategy, you won't worry about violating wedding etiquette through cash bar and you won't need a big budget to throw an open bar wedding party.

Wedding etiquette specialists would recommend you to open bar the first two drinks to your wedding guests and cash bar the ordered drinks thereafter.

Two drinks are considered socially acceptable standards for social drinking. In implementing the semi open, semi cash bar wedding party, you have satisfied the needs of guests expecting you to practice wedding etiquette while at the same time you have satisfied yourself for not spending too much.

Many couples who are not limited on a budget implement the two-drink open bar and cash bar afterwards cocktail or evening wedding party. This is to avoid excessive drinking from wedding guests, and for wedding guests to maintain social composure.

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Wedding Gift Ideas

A wedding is a red letter day for anyone. Just being invited to one can really bring about excitement. It is always a pleasure to see someone walk down the aisle with the promise of true love and life long happiness. Picking out wedding gifts can be a lot of fun too. There are thousands of gifts ideas that you can purchase online or on retail stores. Personalized gifts have been a common trend in weddings presents. Customized gifts bring out your creativity because you can dictate the style, design and message you want to be printed on them. Items range from photo frames, mugs and clocks, among others.

In buying gifts, always keep in mind your budget and be sure to get the look you want to achieve on your purchased items. Here are some gift ideas that would surely be a hit:

Photo Frames Keep your memorable pictures in unique photo frames. You can add on sweet messages like 'sweethearts forever" or "perfect couple". Sweet lines from songs or poems are greatly recommended too. You can choose from the different frames available like natural wood, quality plastic, or metal steel. Personal messages are mostly laser engraved or wood cut-outs. The couple would love putting there favorite wedding photos to keep them reminded of the bliss of their special day.

T-shirts - If you are part of the bridal party, then think about ideas for the wedding clothing for before the wedding whilst getting ready.   Waffle robes and hoodies are a great idea with mens trunks and socks for the guys.


Mugs are very functional. They make a great gift for the wedding couple.   Mr & Mrs mugs or, customising their mug or wineglass would surely be appreciated. Be sure to choose mugs that exude manly elegance. Black or brown mugs would definitely look nice and  personal messages would be a real stand out.

Looking for wedding gifts can be enjoyable. Personalising your gifts would add a special touch to each present. No matter what the value of the gift is, remember that it is always the pure intention of giving that matters most.

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Bridal Accessories Include The Cake Knife


When brides plan their weddings and plan for the cake and the guests and the wedding favours, they sometimes forget the obvious, the cake knife. Although the cake knife is a small part of the wedding reception, it still needs to look elegant. After all, you will be cutting the cake and having pictures taken as you do. You want a cake knife that matches your type of wedding. If you have a themed wedding, you might choose a different cake knife than what a bride who has a fancy gala for her wedding. You have many styles and designs to choose from for a wedding cake knife.

The wedding cake knife usually comes in a set with a server as well. You might choose a plain pearl handle cake knife and server or a cake knife and server with silver, beads and crystals in a bow type ornament on the handle. You can choose the wedding cake knife and server that displays a cross or the set that has an acrylic handle that looks like crystal. There are so many styles to choose from when you are planning your bridal accessories list. You might even find that browsing the Internet will give you some great ideas.

The bride and groom will use the cake knife to join hands and cut the first piece of cake as husband and wife. This event is usually the highlight of the reception and you want a knife and server that is elegant and will fit your wedding. Pictures will be taken during this time and want something that will not take away from your hands or the cake itself. These are the pictures, which everyone seems to forget about when choosing the cake knife and server set.

Bridal accessories are sometimes overlooked until the last minute. In many cases, the cake knife and server are the last minute thing. You can usually find great deals on cake cutting sets at a local retailer or a bridal shop. If you have time to wait for shipping, you can find beautifully designed sets online for affordable prices. Some brides like the idea of something beautiful and something old, therefore, many use cake knifes and servers passed down through the family. This is also a nice idea for a family tradition. The idea of the server is for serving the cake.

The proper way to serve a piece of wedding cake is with the cake server. Many people think that the knife is sufficient, but proper etiquette is to serve the slice of cake with a cake server. You will also use the server to give other a small piece of cake for the traditional cake feeding to each other. These pictures are sometimes very funny or very serious depending on the couple and the type of wedding. After you decide the type of cake, you might want to take care of the cake set so it is completed well before the wedding day arrives. 
 


Tuesday 2 July 2013

Flower Girl Baskets and Ring Cushions - Delightful Accessories That Are Too Cute


Flower girl baskets and ring cushions have been long in the traditions of weddings. Everybody loves watching the procession of the bridal part at the wedding.   The suspense of how the bride will be looking and seeing the rest of the guests dressed expensively is exciting to watch. The guests are all awaiting for the arrival of the couple and start with their wedding wows, but someone might steal the show – ‘the flower girls’. The flower girls holding their flower baskets play an important role in any wedding celebration. The flower girls are a great way to incorporate the young generation into the wedding party.

It Is An Etiquette

Having a flower girl and a ring bearer is all about calling tradition etiquette. Whom you are choosing for these roles is up to you and how you are dressing them up with all required accessories is to be decided. However, kids aging six and under are suggested for these pretty roles.

You can make your ring bearer and flower girl look the prettiest and feel special by helping them with something exclusive to hold than just routine. So, how would you start?

Flower Girl Baskets

Your pretty little flower girl will not just be stealing the show, but she’ll certainly be something in your wedding that your guests will remember for days. To avoid making her look overload you need to see:
  • That the baskets are girly and whimsical, so that your flower girl feels like a princess.
  • Give her the basket that is appropriate to her size and matching to her dress as well.
  • Make sure to practice with your flower girl before the wedding

Ring Cushions

Traditionally, the ring bearers carry satin white cushion with the wedding rings placed on the top. The cushion has threads on it, wherein the wedding rings are tied to avoid slipping. Now with the changing of time and trend, these cushions have changed their appearance and available in most fashionable design and style. Most importantly to make sure that the cushion you choose is not too big. There are lots of designs, patterns and shapes to choose from. Also, know that it is matching as per the wedding theme. You can also have some antique cushion that serves the purpose or order it online.


Depending on the wedding theme, everything has to be in sync right from the décor to the table decoration to the wedding dress and finally the flower girl baskets and ring cushions. If you are hiring a wedding planner, let him/her know about your ideas and that way you can have your kind of imagination turning into reality.